OBITUARY: Moncure Nelson Lyon Jr.

Wednesday

Oct 3, 2012 at 11:15 AMOct 3, 2012 at 11:19 AM

Moncure Nelson Lyon Jr., a retired colonel of the United States Air Force, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at his home in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., surrounded by family, friends and his beloved dog, Spud. Moncure “Monty” Lyon was born in Hamilton Va., Sept. 17, 1916, to Moncure Nelson Lyon and Constance Bentley Lyon, and was raised at Black Oak Farm outside of Purcellville, Va. Moncure attended Virginia Military Institute and joined the Maryland 110th Field Artillery where he volunteered for flight school. Monty requested overseas assignment and was sent to China where the Chinese-American Composite Wing (Provisional) was formed. While with the CACW Monty piloted B25s and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. Monty's love of flying kept him in the Air Force until his retirement in 1973.

Moncure Nelson Lyon Jr., a retired colonel of the United States Air Force, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at his home in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., surrounded by family, friends and his beloved dog, Spud. Moncure "Monty" Lyon was born in Hamilton Va., Sept. 17, 1916, to Moncure Nelson Lyon and Constance Bentley Lyon, and was raised at Black Oak Farm outside of Purcellville, Va. Moncure attended Virginia Military Institute and joined the Maryland 110th Field Artillery where he volunteered for flight school. Monty requested overseas assignment and was sent to China where the Chinese-American Composite Wing (Provisional) was formed. While with the CACW Monty piloted B25s and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. Monty's love of flying kept him in the Air Force until his retirement in 1973.

Apart from his decorated military career, Monty was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was known for his sharp wit, infectious sense of humor, love of gardening, ikebana, cooking and extremely creative pranks. Monty was married to Edwina (Tot) Gonzalez in August 1947. Their honeymoon lasted 65 years, starting with Nassau and a six month trip across the country. They had three children, Moncure III, Edwina and Kelly, and four grandchildren, Marie, Reid, Claire and Katharine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Friday, Oct. 5, at St. Rita Catholic Church at 11 a.m. in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. Burial will be Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m., Union Cemetery, Leesburg Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be in his name to St. Rita Catholic Church, 13219 Monterey Lane, Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. 17214, or to the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library, 15055 Summit Plaza, Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. 17214.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service